Well packer apparatus



-'16, 1966 D. v. CHENOW ET H 3,266,576

' WELL PACKER APPARATUS Filed July 25, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 5 INVENTOR. DAV/D V; CHENOWsr/l flrTOQA/EYS.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

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Aug. 16, 1966 D. v. CHENOWETH WELL PACKER APPARATUS Filed July as, 1963 United States Patent 3,266,576 WELL PACKER APPARATUS David V. Chenoweth, Houston, Tex., assignor to Baker Oil Tools, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Filed July 23, 1963, Ser. No. 297,074

14 Claims. (Cl. 166-121) The present invention relates to subsurface well devices, and more particularly to well packers adapted to be anchored in packed-off condition in a well casing, or similar conduit string, disposed in a well bore.

Retrievable well packers of the type illustrated in United States Patent No. 2,751,012 have been used in well casings, in which a fluid pressure differential in the casing above the packer can be allowed to automatically effect its anchoring in the well casing against downward movement, and a fluid pressure differential in the casing below the well packer can be permitted to effect its anchoring in the well casing against upward movement. During lowering and elevating of the packer in the well casing, the fluid therein is to be allowed to by-pass through the packer.

In some well bores, the presence of a relatively high pressure differential below the packer makes it ditficult' to release the packer from the well casing unless relatively high set-down weights or forces are imposed on certain of the packer parts to first effect equalizing of the pressures above and below the packer. Even with the packer in a released condition, a high pressure differential below the tool may interfere with its elevation in the well casing, since it might actuate the packer parts and set the well packer in the well casing against upward movement therewithin.

An object of the present invention is to provide a well packer of the retrievable type capable of being anchored in packed-off condition in a well conduit by pressure differential in the well conduit, in which the pressure differential can be controlled to prevent its setting of the packer in the well conduit, as during longitudinal movement of the packer therewithin, or to prevent it from allowing release of the packer from the well conduit. In a more limited sense, any pressure differential below the packer is prevented from setting it during its elevation in the well conduit, and such pressure differential is prevented from holding the packer in set condition in the well conduit when its release is desired.

Another object of the invention is to provide a well packer of the retrievable type capable of being anchored in a well conduit and which can be released from the well conduit with the exertion of relatively small effort thereon, despite the presence of a high pressure differential in the packer tending to retain it anchored to the well casing.

A further object of the invention is to provide a well packer :of the retrievable type capable of being set in a well conduit by a pressure differential therein, and in which the pressures across the packer can be equalized to facilitate its release by appropriate shifting of a valve device, shiftingof the valve device to an open position being readily obtainable since it is unnecessary to overcome any pressure differential that might tend to maintain the valve device in closed condition.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a form in which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. It will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it isto be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of 3,266,575 Patented August 16, 1966 3 the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view, parts being shown in section, of a well packer embodying the invention being lowered in the well casing disposed in a well bore;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the well packer, with the parts in the position they occupy during lowering of the packer in the well casing;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 4-4 on FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2, partly in diagram form, illustrating the well packer anchored against upward movementin the well casing, as a result of being subject topressure from below;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2, partly in diagram form, illustrating the well packer being elevated in the well casing;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged longitudinal section of the lower portion of the well packer apparatus.

The well packer A disclosed in the drawings is specifically designed as a bridge plug adapted to be anchored in a well casing B in packed-off condition against longitudinal movement both in an upward and a down ward direction. The well packer is lowered in the well casing on a running-in tool C secured to the lower end of the running-in string D, which may be tubing or a wire line, extending to the top of the well bore.

In general, the well packer A can be run in the well casing to the desired setting point merely by pushing it down the casing B. During such pushing action, fluid in the well casing can by-pass around the packer. After being shifted to its setting location in the casing, the running-in string need merely be elevated away from the well packer A, and pressure either from above or below the packer, as the case may be, is effective to anchor the packer to the well casing against downward or upward movement. After the well packer has performed its function in the well casing, it is easily retrieved or shifted to another location in the well casing merely by pulling it in an upward direction, if it is to be elevated in the well casing, or by pushing downwardly on it, if it is to be lowered in the well casing. During elevation of the well packer, assurance is had that the pressure in the well casing or conduit string B above and below the well packer are substantially equalized, for the purpose of preventing a pressure differential in the well conduit below the well packer from inadvertently setting it. In fact, such pressure differential can be readily equalized, and with the exertion of a minimum force, in effecting release of the well packer from the well casing.

As specifically illustrated in the drawings, the well packer A includes a tubular body 10 consisting of an upper section 11 threadedly secured to a lower section 12. The tubular body further includes a drag block body or receptacle portion 200 threadedly secured to the lower body section, which, in turn, is threadedly secured to the upper pontion of a lower valve body 20 1 having side ports or slots 202 therein, the valve body below the ports being closed. A set of circumferentially spaced upper casing gripping slip members 13 extends around the tubular body 10, being cooperable with an upper expander 14 to be urged outwardly against the well casing B and to hold the well packer in the casing against downward movement therein. Similarly, a set of circumferentially spaced lower slip members '15 is disposed around the tubular body 10, being cooperable with a lower expander 16 which is capable of moving the lower slips outwardly against the well casing to anchor the well tool against upward movement therein.

The upper expander 14, which may be of generally frusto-conical form, surrounds the upper body section 1 1, with its smaller end bearing against a shoulder 17 formed on the body. The upper end of the upper expander bears against a thimble 18, in which the base portion 19 of a rubber or rubber-like upwardly facing packing cup 20 is received, the upper end of a lip portion 21 of this packing cup being slidably engageable with the wall of the well casing B. Leakage between the packing cup 20 and the tubular body may be prevented by a suitable side seal 22 on the body engaging the inner surface of a metallic sleeve 23 disposed within the base 19 of the packing cup and resting upon the thimble 18. The packing cup is clamped against the thimble, which, in turn, urges the upper expander firmly against the body shoulder :17 by an upper valve cage and clamp 24 threaded on the upper end of the body 10 and bearing against a clamp sleeve 25 disposed within the packing cup, urging the base 19 of the latter within and against the thimble 18, which, in turn, forces the upper expander 14 against the body shoulder 17.

A downwardly facing lower rubber or rubber-like packing cup 26 is also provided to prevent upward leakage of fluid between the tubular body 10 and the wall of the well casing B. The base portion 27 of this packing cup is received within a lower thimble 28 that bears against the lower end of the lower expander 16, the upper smaller end of which bears against a shoulder 30 formed at the upper end of the lower body section. The lower packing cup 26 has a lower lip pontion 31 slidably sealing against the wall of the well casing. Leakage of fluid between the packing cup 26 and the lower body section 12 is prevented by a suitable side seal 3-2 on the lower section bearing against the inner surface of a metallic sleeve 33 disposed within the base 27 of the packing and bearing against the thimble 28. The packing cup 26 and lower expander 16 are held on the body 10 in appropriate position by the drag block body or receptacle 200, which is threaded on the lower body section 12, bearing against a clamp sleeve 35 disposed in the packing cup 26, which will urge the base 27 of the packing and the metallic sleeve 33 against the thimble 28, causing the latter to urge the lower expander 16 snugly against the shoulder 30.

The upper and lower sets of slips 13, 15 are carried by a structure which is slidable longitudinally relative to the tubular body 10; that is to say, the tubular body can move downwardly with respect to both sets of slips 13, 15. When this occurs, the upper expander 14 is shifted into the upper set of slips 13 to urge them outwardly into anchoring engagement with the well casing B. Such anchor-ing or wedging action of the expander '14 and the upper slips '13 occurs in view of the provision of a downwardly converging external surface 37 on the expander engaging companion inner surfaces 38 on the slip members 13. Conversely, upward movement of the tubular body '10 with respect to the slips 13, 15 will carry the lower expander 16 upwardly within the lower slips 15, this lower expander having an upwardly converging tapered surface 39 engaging companion tapered surfaces 40 on the lower slip members 15 to urge the latter outwardly into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing B, to prevent upward movement of the well packer A therein.

The relative longitudinal movement between the tubular body 10 and the expanders 14, 16 mounted thereon with respect to the slips 13, 15 can occur as a result of resisting longitudinal movement of the slips in the well casing B. Such longitudinal movement is prevented, in the specific well packer illustrated in the drawings, by incorporating friction drag blocks in the slips themselves. The upper set of slips 13 is mounted within circumferentially spaced longitudinal grooves 41 in an upper slip carrying sleeve 42, the wicker head portions 43 of these slips extending above the upper end of the sleeve 42. Similarly, the lower set of slips 15 is disposed within circumferentially spaced longitudinal grooves 44 provided in a lower slip carrying sleeve 45, the wickered lower slip heads 46 extending below this sleeve to permit its cooperation with the lower expander 16. The upper and lower slip carrying sleeves 42, 45 are interconnected by being secured to an intermediate ring 47, the lower end of .the upper sleeve 42 engaging the upper surface of this ring; whereas, the upper end of the lower sleeve 45 engages the lower surface of this ring. The ring 47 has upper and lower rims 48, 49 extending around the adjacent peripheries of the upper and lower sleeves 42, 45, and its inner surface '50 is disposed radially outwardly with respect to the inner surfaces 5 1 of the upper and lower sleeves, to provide a circumferential groove 52 therewith. The upper and lower sleeves 42, 45 are secured to the intermediate ring 47 by a plurality of screws (not shown) extending longitudinally through the sleeve and threaded into the ring 47, in the manner specifically illustrated and described in the aforesaid Patent 2,751,012. The upper and lower slip carrying sleeves 4 2, 45 and the intermediate ring 47 move as a unit, which is slidable with respect to the tubular body 10.

As stated above, the longitudinal movement of the slips 13, 15 through the well casing is resisted by providing a friction drag block 56 on each slip. These drag block portions 56 are formed on an intermediate portion of each slip, being urged outwardly into frictional engagement with the wall of the well casing B by helical compression springs 57 bearing against the base of each longitudinal groove 41, 44 and also against the base of a socket 59 provided in each slip at its friction block portion 56. The springs 57 force a substantial external surface on each drag block portion 56 against the wall of the well casing. When such contact occurs, the Wickcred heads 43, 46 of the slips 13, 15 are tilted inwardly out of contact from the well casing B. When an expander 14 or 16 moves longitudinally within the slip heads 43 or 46, the slips 13 or 15 will rock on an end 61 of their friction drag block portions 56 upon the casing to pivot the toothed heads 43 or 46 into engagement with the well casing.

As an example, as disclosed in FIG. 2, the upper slip heads 43 are retracted from the well casing, the friction drag block portions 56 making surface contact with the wall of the casing B. When in this position, the inclined surface 38 of each slip makes an acute angle with the companion inclined surface 37 of the upper expander 14. When the upper expander moves down within the slip heads 43, it will tilt the slips 13 about the upper corner 61 of the friction drag block members 56 as a fulcrum, the expander surface 37 and the slip surfaces 38 coming into full parallel contact with each other, which will place the slip wickers in parallel relation to the wall of the casing. The drag block portions 56 are tilted away from the wall of the well casing against the force of the springs 57, there being suflicient radial clearance space in the grooves 41 of the upper sleeve 42 to permit this tilting or rocking action to take place. When the upper expander is shifted upwardly out of the upper slip heads 43, the springs 57 are effective to rock the slips 13 about their fulcrum 61 to move the drag blocks 56 into surface contact with the wall of the well casing B and shift the slip heads 43 inwardly away from the wall of the latter.

The lower set of slips 15 is arranged like the upper set of slips 13 except that they are inverted with respect thereto. The lower slip members 15 have lower fulcrum points 61 at the lower ends of their drag block portions 56, the lower springs 57 urging the drag block members 56 into full surface engagement with the wall of the well casing when the slip heads 46 are retracted away from the latter. When this occurs, the inclined slip surfaces 40 make an acute angle with the lower expander surface 39. When the body 10 and lower expander 16 are moved upwardly within the slip heads 46, the slips 15 are rocked on the casing about their lower fulcrum point 61 to shift the slip heads 46 outwardly against the well casing and the friction block portions 56 of the slips inwardly against the force of the springs 57. With the lower slip heads 46 fully engaging the casing B, their surfaces 40 snugly engage the expander surface 39, in effect a' parallel thereto. Lowering of the tubular body and expander 16 with respect to the lower slips will shift the expander away from the latter, allowing the springs 57 to rock the slips 15 about their fulcrum 61 on the casing to shift the lower slip heads 46 away from the wall of the casing and bring the drag block portions 56 into full surface engagement with the casing once again.

When the well packer A is unrestrained, as when it is above ground and out of the well casing, the outward movement of the upper slip members 13 under the action of the springs 57 is limited by engagement of the lower slip fingers or legs 70 with the upper rim 48 of the intermediate ring, and also by engagement of the base portion 71 of an external groove 72, formed on each slip member immediately above its friction drag portions 56, with a retaining ring 73 disposed around all of the slips 13. Similarly, outward movement of the lower set of slips 15 under the action of the springs 57 is limited by engagement of the upper fingers 70 on the slips with the lower rim portions 49 of the intermediate ring, and also by engagement of the base .portions 71 of the lower peripheral groove 72, formed in the slips immediately below the friction drag block portions 56, with a lower retainer ring 73 encompassing all of the slips 15 and disposed in the groove 72. When the well packer A is inserted in a well casing B, the friction drag block portions 56 will engage the Wall of the casing and force the slips 13, 15 inwardly against the action of the springs 57 to provide ample radial clearance space between the legs 70 and rims 48, 49 and also between the base portions 71 and the retainer ring 73. This latter clearance space is more than sufiicient to allow the appropriate rocking of the sets of slips 13, 15 into and out of anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing. The upper and lower sets of slips 13, 15 are caused to move longitudinally with the slip carrying sleeves 42, 45 and intermediate ring 47. The upper end of the upper sleeve 42 has an upper flange 75. engaging the upper side of the upper retainer ring 73, bearing against this ring, which, in turn, bears against the lower side 76 of the slip groove 72 to carry the slips 13 in a downward direction. Upward movement of the slip carrying sleeves 42, 45 and ring 47 will cause the intermediate ring 47 to bear against the lower ends 70 of the slip members and move them upwardly therewith. Similarly, upward movement of the slip carrying sleeves will cause a lower flange 75 on the lower sleeves 45 to engage the lower retainer ring 73 and force it against the upper sides 76 of the slip groove 72 to carry the slips 15 in an upward direction. -Downward movement of the sleeves 42, 45 and ring 47 will cause the intermediate ring 47 to engage the upper end 70 of the lower slip members 15, to carry them in a downward direction. Thus, the slip carrying sleeves 42, 45, intermediate ring 47, and upper and lower sets of slips 13, 15 are movable longitudinally through the well casing substantially as a unit, while the slips 13, 15 are permitted to rock on their fulcrums 61 into and out of anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing B.

In view of the frictional engagement of the drag block portions 56 of the slip members against the wall of the casing, the body 10 will tend to move down with respect to the slip members 13, 15 when being lowered in the casing. Conversely, the tubular body 10 will tend to move upwardly with respect to the slip members in the event of its elevation in the well casing. Such downward movement is permitted when the well packer is to be anchored in the well casing against downward movement, and relative upward movement is permitted when it is desired to anchor the well packer in the casing against upward movement. However, when the well packer is to be raised or lowered as a unit in the well casing, the relative movement is prevented.

In controlling the relative longitudinal movement between the slips 13, 15 and the packer body 10, a control rod or bar is availed of, which is disposed within the body 10 and projects through its upper end. This control rod has a diameter substantially less than the inside diameter of the tubular body to provide an annular passage 81 through the tubular body for fluid in the well bore. An upper reduced diameter portion 82 of the rod is slidable through the end portion 83 of the upper valve cage and clamp 24; whereas, the lower end of the rod is threadedly or otherwise suitably secured to a lower cross-piece or cross link 204 extending in opposite directions through the elongate ports 202 of the lower valve body 201.

The intermediate portion of the rod 80 has a longitudinal slot 86 extending therethrough receiving .a cross-piece or anvil 87 having a longitudinal extent that is substantially shorter than the length of the slot 86 to allow the control rod or bar 80 to move longitudinally with respect to the anvil 87. This anvil 87 extends transversely through opposed longitudinal slots 88 in the tubular body 10, the cross link having opposed reduced terminals 89 projecting into the circumferential groove 52 defined between the upper andlower slip carrying sleeve 42, 45 and the intermediate ring 47. In effect, the cross link 87 is coupled to the sleeves and ring to be movable longitudinally therewith, the outer faces 90 of the cross-piece engaging the inner surfaces 51 of the upper and lower sleeves 42, 45 to prevent lateral movement of the cross-piece.

The slots 88 through the body 10 are substantially longer than the height of the cross-piece 87 so that the body can be moved longitudinally with respect to the slip carrying sleeves 42, 45 and the intermediate ring 47, as well as the slip members 13, 15 themselves.

The location of the control rod 80 within the body 10 determines the ability of the body to move longitudinally with respect to the slips 13, 15. The control rod may act in conjunction with upper and lower valve members in determining the setting of the slips against the well casing, or the inability of the slips to be set against the well casing. The upper reduced diameter portion 82 of the control rod is encompassed by an upper valve head 91 slidable thereon, this valve head being urged downwardly to a closed position across the upper end of the tubular body 10 by a helical compression spring 93 encompassing the rod, its upper end bearing against the end portion 83 of the upper valve cage 24 and its lower end bearing against the valve head 91. This spring 93 urges the upper valve head 91 downwardly to engage its flange 94 with the upper end 95 of the body 10, with its lower portion extending into the body. Leakage of fluid between the head 91 and the upper end 95 of the body 10, when the valve head is disposed in the latter, is prevented by a suitable side seal 96 mounted on the head and adapted to seal against the inner wall of the tubular body. Leakage of fluid between the control head 91 and the reduced diameter portion 82 of the control bar is prevented by a suitable rod-type of packing 97 carried by the valve head and slidably sealing against the periphery of the rod.

The lower cross link or cross-piece 204 secured to the lower end of the control rod 80, and which extends through the elongate ports or slots 202 in the valve body, projects into openings 206 in a lower valve member 207 in the form of a sleeve 208 slidable on the exterior of the lower valve body 201 and, adapted to be positioned across the lower ports 202. Lateral deflection or shifting of the lower portion of the control rod or bar 80 and of the lower cross link 204 is prevented by engagement of the outer ends of the cross link with a retainer sleeve 209 en- 7 compassing the lower valve sleeve and the cross link, the retainer sleeve bearing against a downwardly facing shoulder 210 on the valve sleeve. Fluid leakage between the valve sleeve 208 and the retainer sleeve 209 is prevented by suitable side seal rings 211 on the valve sleeve on opposite sides of the cross link 204 engaging the inner wall of the retainer sleeve. When the lower valve sleeve 208 is disposed across the lower ports 202 through the valve body, leakage along the valve sleeve is prevented by suitable side seal rings 212 mounted on the valve body 201 on opposite sides of the elongate ports 202, slidably sealing against the inner wall or surface of the lower valve sleeve 208.

The valve sleeve or member 207 is normally yieldably urged toward its closed position across the ports 202, such as disclosed in FIGS. 5 and 7, by upper and lower valve closing helical compression springs 215, 216 encompassing the valve body. The lower end of the lower compression spring 216 bears against a spring seat 217 threaded on the lower end of the valve body 201, its upper end bearing against the lower valve sleeve 208 and the retainer sleeve 209, urging the lower valve sleeve upwardly of the valve body and also holding the retainer sleeve in appropriate assembled position on the lower valve sleeve against its shoulder 210. The upper valve closing spring 215 has its lower end bearing against the upper end of the lower valve sleeve 208 and its upper end bearing against the drag block body or receptacle 200. The two springs 215, 216 tend to hold the lower valve sleeve 207 centered in closed position across the ports 202 and also tend to hold the control rod or bar 80 in a centered or neutral position within the well packer body 10. With the control rod or bar 80 in this neutral position, the spring 93 can shift the upper valve head 91 toward its closed position.

Assuming the control rod 80 to be shifted downwardly within the body, such action will cause the lower valve sleeve 207 to shift downwardly along the body 201 against the force of the lower valve closing spring 216 to open the lower ports 202. The upper valve head 91, however, can remain in its downwardly closed position with respect to the body 10. However, any fluid flowing upwardly through the lower ports 202 and through the body 10 can engage the valve head 91 and shift it upwardly from its seat 95 to an open position against the force of the spring 93.

Conversely, upward movement of the control rod or bar 80 from its intermediate or neutral position, disclosed in FIG. 6, will cause the upper shoulder 103 on the control rod, provided by its reduced diameter portion 82, to engage the upper valve member 91 and shift it upwardly to open position with respect to the tubular body 10. At the same time, such upward movement will cause the lower valve sleeve 207 to be shifted upwardly along the body 201 against the force of the upper valve closing spring 215 to a position opening the lower ports 202. With the parts in this relation, fluid can flow in both directions from regions in the well conduit above and below the well packer A through the packer body passage 81. Fluid from above the well packer can pass downwardly into the valve body, discharging through the lower ports 202 into the well conduit. Conversely, fluid from below the well packer can pass inwardly through the open ports 202 into the valve body 201 and upwardly through the packer body 10 into the well conduit above the tool A.

As stated above, with the control rod 80 in its intermediate or neutral position, such as disclosed in FIGS. 5 and 7, the lower valve sleeve 207 is in port closing position and the upper valve head 91 can be shifted downwardly by its spring 93 into closed position across the upper end of the tubular body 10.

The-ability to shift the control rod or bar 80 and the valve sleeve 207 with respect to the packer body 10 and its lower valve body 201 is dependent upon the frictional resistance to movement in the well conduit afforded by a friction drag device 220, of which the drag block body or receptacle 200 forms a part. As shown, a plurality of circumferentially spaced bores 221 is provided in the drag block body, opening in a direction outwardly of the body. In each of these bores is located a friction drag block 222 which is slidable laterally within the bore. Each drag block is urged outwardly by a plurality of helical compression springs 223 received within sockets 224 in the drag block, their inner ends bearing against the base 225 of the bore. Outward movement of each drag block is limited by upper and lower stop shoulders 226 therein engaging the heads 227 of upper and lower cap screws 228 threadedly secured to the drag block body 200.

With the apparatus in the well casing, the outer surfaces of the drag blocks 222 are forced inwardly of the drag block body 200 to a certain extent, so that the upper and lower stop shoulders 226 are out of engagement with the upper and lower limiting cap screws 228. The springs 223 provide substantial friction between the outer surfaces of the drag blocks and the wall of the well casing B, resisting longitudinal movement of the drag block body 200 and valve body 201 in the casing, as well as resisting longitudinal movement of the well packer body sections 11, 12 themselves. Because of the substantial friction afforded by the drag blocks 222 against the wall of the well casing, the control rod or bar can be shifted relative to the various body members to appropriately shift the lower valve sleeve 207 along the lower valve body 201 with respect to its ports 202.

Not only is the control rod 80 effective to shift the upper and lower valve members 91, 207 to open position, but it is also effective in shifting the upper and lower ends of the slots 86 into engagement with the cross link 87, thereby determining the ability of the slips 13, 15 and slip carrying sleeves 42, 45 to move relative to the tubular body 10.

When the rod 80 is in its lowermost position, the lower cross-piece 204 engages the valve body at the lower end of its slots or ports 202, the lower valve sleeve 207 being in its lower position on the valve body to open the ports, and the upper end 108 of the rod slot 86 being adjacent to the upper end of the cross-piece 87. At this time, the upper and lower sets of slips 13, 15 are both in retracted or neutral position with respect to the body 10 and the upper and lower expanders 14, 16. It is evident that if the control rod 80 is moved downwardly, the lower cross link 204 will bear against the lower valve body 201 to carry such body, the drag body 200, the sections of the packer body 10 and the expanders 14, 16 downwardly with it. At the same time, the rod at the upper end of its slot 86 is engaging the cross-piece 87 to carry the sleeves 42, 45, intermediate ring 47, and upper and lower sets of slips 13, 15 downwardly with it. Accordingly, the latter parts cannot move longitudinally with respect to the body 10 and expanders 14, 16, which will insure that the slips cannot be anchored against the well casing. The helical springs 57 retain the friction drag block members 56 engaged with the well casing B and hold the slip heads 43, 46 inwardly away from the wall of the well casing. The friction drag blocks 56 merely slide frictionally against the wall of the Well casing during such downward movement of the control rod 80, the entire well packer being carried downwardly in the well casing with the rod to the desired setting point, the valve controlling set of friction drag blocks 222 sliding downwardly along the wall of the well casing B.

The relative position of the parts just described is disclosed in FIG. 2, from which it is apparent that the apparatus A can be lowered in the well casing. During such lowering, fluid can by-pass around the well packer by flowing upwardly through the ports 202 of the tubular body 201, 10 and through its passage 81, engaging the upper valve head 91 and forcing the latter to open position against the force of its spring 93, the fluid discharging from the upper end 95 of the body. In this manner, the fluid'in the well casing can by-pass around the tool and will not prevent its descent in the well casing.

In the event the well packer is to be elevated in the well casing, then the taking of an upward pull on the control rod 80 will shift its upper shoulder 103 into engagement with the upper valve head 91, shifting the latter upwardly out of the upper end of the body, or to open position. At the same time, the lower cross link 204 will have shifted the lower valve sleeve 207 upwardly along the valve body to a position in which the lower end of the valve sleeve uncovers the lower ports 202, opening them to'the passage of fluid. When the rod is in this upper position, the lower end of its longitudinal slot 86 isadjacent to or immediately below the crosspiece 87, theslip carrying sleeves 42, 45, intermediate ring 47, and upper and lower sets of slips 13, being disposed in their intermediate position with respect to the tubular body 10 and the upper and lower expanders 14, 16. Upward motion of the rod 80 will then cause it to carry the body 10 upwardly with it, in view of the engagement of the lower cross link 204 with the lower valve body 201 at the upper end of the lower ports, the lower end 109 of the rod slot 86 engaging the cross-piece 87 to cause the latter to also carry the slip carrying members 42, 45, 47 and the sets of slips 13, 15 upwardly with the rod, the slips 13, 15 being prevented from moving longitudinally relative to the tubular body 10 and the expanders 14, 16. A suflicient elevating force is imposed on the control rod 80 to overcome the friction of the drag block members 56 and the lower set of friction drag blocks 222 against the wall of the well casing, as well as the friction of the packing cups 20, 26 against the wall of the well casing.

During the elevating motion, the upper valve head 91 is held in open position by the upper rod shoulder 103, and the cross link 204 holds the lower valve sleeve 207 in its upper position opening the lower ports. Fluid can, therefore, by-pass around the apparatus, flowing downwardly into the upper end 95 of the tublular body, into and through the passage 81, and through the ports 202 into the well casing below the well packer (FIG. 6).

In lowering the well packer A in the well casing B to a desired setting point, it is merely necessary to exert a downward force on the control rod 80, the rod being shifted to the position disclosed in FIG. 2, which will place the lower valve sleeve 207 in the open position since resistance to downward movement of the lower valve body 201 is provided' by the frictional engagement of the drag blocks 222 with the wall of the well casing. The parts are now positioned to allow fluid to by-pass through the valve body and tubular body 10 and around the packing elements 20,

26, the slip members 13, 15 being held in their neutral or ineffective position with respect to the body 10 and the upper and lower expanders 14, 16. When the location is reached in the well casing in which the well packer or bridge plug is to be anchored in packed-off condition, it is merelynecessary to relieve the downward force on the control rod 80. Upon such relief, the upper and lower valve closing springs 215, 216 will shift the sleeve valve 207 to its closed position across the ports 202 and will also shift the control bar or rod 80 upwardly to a central position, in which the upper valve head 91 is shifted downwardly to closed position with respect to the upper end of the body 10. This upward shifting of the control rod 80 will elevate the upper end 108 of the longitudinal slot 86 substantially above the cross-piece 87. The packing cups 20, 26 and the friction drag block portions 56 of the slips, as well as the friction drag blocks 222 of the lower drag device, will tend to hold the well packer in this position within the well casing B, in the absence of fluid pressure either above or below the well packer.

If a greater fluid pressure is now imposed on the well packer A from a region below its location in the well casing than exist above the well packer, this fluid under pressure will urge the packer body 10 and the expanders 14, 16 in an upward direction. The fluid pressure cannot shift the sleeve valve 207 to open position, since its upper and lower transverse areas are equal, the valve sleeve being balanced against movement by fluid pressure in the well bore relative to the valve body 201. Accordingly, the valve sleeve remains in its port closing position. The upward movement of the body 10 will be accompanied by upward movement of the drag block body 200, lower valve body 201 and lower valve sleeve 207, the expanders 14, 16 being shifted with the body 10 upwardly, the lower expander 16 moving upwardly within the lower slips 15, since upward movement of the slip structure is prevented or resisted by the frictional engagement of the drag blocks 56 against the wall of the well casing. The lower set of slips will be rocked on their fulcrum portions 61 to bring their wickered head portions 46 into firm anchoring engagement with the well casing (FIG. 5). Accordingly, the fluid pressure below the well packer is incapable of shifting the latter in an upward direction within the well casing, the fluid under pressure being prevented from passing around the outside of the packer body 10 by the lower packing cup 26 and through the interior 81 of the valve body by virtue of the closing action of the valve sleeve 207 across the the lower ports 202 through the lower valve body. The upward movement of the valve body 201, lower valve sleeve 207, and control rod or bar 80, as a unit, has no effect on the slip structure since there is substantial space between the lower end 109 of the rod slot 86 and the lower end of the cross-piece 87 with the rod in its neutral position.

In the event that the pressure in the well casing above the well packer now becomes greater than the pressure below the well packer, such pressure will act on the packing cup 20, body 10, and upper valve head 91 to shift the parts in a downward direction with respect to the slip structure, since downward movement of the latter is re sisted by the friction drag block portions 56 of the slips 13, 15. This relative downward motion is permitted in view of the substantial distance that existed initially between the upper end 108 of the slot and the upper end of the cross-piece 87. The body 10 and the expanders 14, 16 will be shifted in a direction to wedge the upper expander 14 in the upper slips 13, rocking the latter about their fulcrum point 61 outwardly into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing. Here again, the fluid under pressure is prevented from passing downwardly around the outside of the tubular body by the upper packing cup '20, and it is also prevented from passing down through the tubular body 10 by the closing action of the upper valve head 91 against the upper end 95 of the body. The fluid pressuge may also act upon the upper end of the rod 80 to shift it downwardly to some extent, but such downward shifting will have no effect on the operation of the device, since the upper valve remains in its closed position.

It is, therefore, apparent that fluid pressure either above or below the well packer is effective to automatically anchor it in packed-off condition against longitudinal movement in either a downward or an upward direction, as the case may be. In the event it is desired to release the packer and lower it to another position in the well casing, it is merely necessary to exert a downward force on the control rod 80, which will reshift the parts to the relative position shown in FIG. 2, the lower valve sleeve 207 being shifted downwardly to a position opening the lower ports 202. The lowering action can then continue with the fluid bypassing through the packer, entering the ports 202 and flowing upwardly through the body 10, unseating the upper valve 91 and discharging into the well casing from the upper end of the body.

Conversely, in the event it is desired to elevate the well packer in the well casing, it is merely necessary to grasp the control rod 80 by some suitable means (not shown) to locate the parts in the relative position shown in FIG. 6, in which the slips 13, 15 are in their neutral position and in which relative movement between the slip carrying structure 42, 45, 47 and the tubular body cannot occur. Upward movement of the control rod 80 will shift the lower valve sleeve 207 upwardly against the force of its upper spring 216 to a position opening the ports 202. With the parts in this relative position, the well packer A can be elevated in the well casing B, the fluid flowing downwardly into the upper end of the packer body, since the valve head 91 is being held upwardly from its seat by the shoulder 103, the fluid passing downwardly through the body and discharging through the lower ports 202. If desired, elevation of the well packer A can continue for the purpose of withdrawing the tool completely from the well casing B.

One form of device for lowering the apparatus A in the well casing is disclosed in FIG. 1. The control rod 80 extends upwardly above the upper valve cage 20 to a substantial extent, terminating in an enlarged head 121. As described above, it is only necessary to exert a down- Ward force on the control rod 80 to lower the apparatus in the well casing while preventing the slips 13, from being set against the well casing. In the present instance, such downward force is provided by causing the lower end 112 of a sub 123 of the running-in tool C to bear against the upper end of the control rod 121. The upper end of the sub is threadedly secured to the running-in string, such as a tubing string D, that extends to the top of the well bore. A sleeve 125 is secured to the lower end of the sub and extends downwardly along the rod 80 to a substantial extent. The application of suitable downweight on the tubular string D and the sub 123 will force the rod 80 and the well packer A downwardly in the casing B, the lower valve sleeve 207 being positively shifted to and held within its lower port opening position, and the friction of the several sets of drag blocks 56, 222 against the wall of the well casing being overcome.

After the well packer A has been pushed down the well casing by the running-in tool C to the desired setting location, the running-in string D need merely be elevated to lift the sub 123 and the sleeve 125 away from the rod 80, whereupon the running-in tool can be elevated within the well casing, and, if desired, removed completely therefrom at the top of the hole. From this point on, a pressure either above or below the apparatus A within the well casing B will be effective to anchor the tool against either downward or upward movement.

When it is desired to retrieve the tool, the running-in and retrieving tool C may be relowered, disposing the sleeve 125 over the rod head 121, the sleeve 125 having a suitable slot structure 250 therein, or the like, for engagement with a pin 251 on the head 121 that will couple the rod 80 to the sleeve 125 and allow the rod 80 to be elevated within the body 10 to place the parts in the position shown in FIG. 6; whereupon, the well packer A can be lifted within the well casing B and shifted to a higher location therewithin, or withdrawn from the well casing at the top of the hole.

Assuming the well packer A has been anchored in the well casing against downward movement therewithin, because of the presence of a pressure differential in the conduit string above the tool, the elevation of the rod 80 within the body 10 of the apparatus will shift the upper valve head 91 to open position and also the lower valve sleeve 207 upwardly along the valve body 201 to port opening position, thereby permitting the pressure above and below the tool to equalize. The upper and lower valves are positively held in their opened positions during elevation of the well packer in the well casing, there being no pressure difierentials capable of inadvertently shifting the packer parts from the neutral positions to an anchoring position.

Assuming the well packer to be set in the well casing against upward movement (FIG. 5), because of the presence of a pressure differential in the well casing below the tool, its release can be effected by first lowering the control bar 80, which will cause the lower valve sleeve 207 to shift downwardly along the lower valve body to an open position. The opening of the lower ports 202 will allow the pressure in the well casing above and below the tool to equalize. After equalizing has been achieved, the running-in string D and retrieving tool C are elevated to elevate the control bar 80, which will shift the lower valve sleeve upwardly along the lower valve body to a position above the ports 202, opening the latter, and which will also cause the lower slot end 109 of the control bar to engage the slip crosspiece 87. Such engagement (FIG. 6), as well as engagement of the lower cross link 204 with the valve body 201, will cause all parts of the bridge plug to move upwardly as a unit within the casing, relative movement between the body 10 and expanders 14, 16, on the one hand, and the slips 13, 15, on the other hand, being incapable of occurring. As a result, the tool A can be shifted upwardly in the well casing. During such upward shifting, a pressure differential cannot develop to a sufficient extent as to inadvertently shift the body 10 upwardly relative to the slips 13, 15, and thereby cause the lower expander 16 to wedge behind the lower slips 15, since the lower valve sleeve 207 is positively held in an upward, open position, the fluid under pressure being capable of flowing through the open ports 202 and upwardly through the tool body into the well casing above the well tool A. Thus, the tool cannot hang up while being elevated in the well casing, despite the presence of a pressure differential below the well packer.

In the event a high pressure exists below the well packer, such pressure cannot hold the well packer in its set condition, since the lower valve sleeve 207 can be shifted downwardly to a port opening position very readily with a minimum of downward force imposed on the control rod 80, lower cross link 204, and the lower valve sleeve 207. There is no pressure dilferential to be overcome since the lower valve sleeve 207 is balanced. The lower valve sleeve is readily shifted downwardly along the lower valve body 201 to a port opening position, allowing the pressures below and above the well packer A to equalize. It is unnecessary for the lower valve sleeve to be shifted to an open position against any force provided by well pressure below the packer.

Iclaim:

1. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit and having a passage for fluid; normally retracted slip means on said body; expander means on said body relatively movable into engagement with said slip means to expand said slip means against the well conduit; a holding device within and movable longitudinally of said body and engageable with one of said means to prevent said expander means from expanding said slip means against the conduit when said device is in upper and lower positions within said body, but permitting said expander means to expand said slip means when in an intermediate position within said body; and valve means on said body operatively connected to said holding device and shifta ble thereby to positions open ing said passage when said device is in said upper and lower positions and also shiftable thereby to a position closing said passage when said device is in said intermediate position.

2. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit and having a passage for fluid; normally retracted slip means on said body; expander means on said body relatively movable into engagement with said slip means to expand said slip means against the well conduit; a holding device movable longitudinallv of said body and engageable with one of said means to prevent said expander means from expanding said slip means against the conduit when said device is in upper and lower positions with respect to said body, but permitting said expander means to expand said slip means when in an intermediate position with respect to said body; and valve means on said body operatively connected to said holding means and shiftable thereby to positions opening said passage when said device is in said upper and lower positions and also shiftable thereby to a position closing said passage when said device is in said intermediate position.

3. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit and having a passage for fluid terminating in a side port; normally retracted slip means on said body; expander means on said body relatively movable into engagement with said slip means to expand said slip means against the well conduit; a holding device within and movable longitudinally of said body and en gageable with one of said means to prevent said expanding means from expanding said slip means against the conduit when said device is in upper and lower positions within said body, but permitting said expanding means to expand said slip means when in an intermediate position within said body; and sleeve valve means on said body operatively connected to said holding device and shiftable thereby to positions opening said port when said device is in said upper and lower positions and to a position across Said port to close the same when said device is in said intermediate position.

4. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit and having a passage for fluid terminating in a side port; normally retracted slip means on said body; expander means on said body relatively movable into engagement with said slip means to expand said slip means against the well conduit; a holding device movable longitudinally of said body and engageable with one of said means to prevent said expander means from expanding said slip means against the conduit when said device is in upper and lower positions with respect to said body, but permitting said expander means to expand said slip means when in an intermediate position with respect to said body; and sleeve valve means on said body operatively connected to said holding device and shiftable thereby to positions opening said port when said device is in said upper and lower positions and to a position across said port to close the same when said device is in said intermediate position.

5. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; a packing on said body adapted to seal with the well conduit; said body having a passage through which fluid in the conduit can flow around said packing; normally retracted slip means on said body; expander means on said body relatively movable into engagement with said slip means to expand said slip means against the well conduit; a holding device within and movable longitudinally of said body and engageable with one of said means to prevent said expanding means from expanding said slip means against the conduit when said device is in upper and lower positions within said body, but permitting said expander means to expand said slip means when in an intermediate position within said body; and valve means on said body operatively connected to said holding device and shiftable thereby to positions opening said passage when said device is in said upper and lower positions and also shiftable thereby to a position closing said passage when said device is in said intermediate position.

6. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; a packing on said body adapted to seal with the well conduit; said body having a passage through which fluid in the conduit can flow around said packing; normally retracted slip means on said body; expander means on said body relatively movable into engagement with said slip means to expand said slip means against the well conduit; a holding device movable longitudinally of said body and engageable with one of said means to prevent said expander means from expanding said slip means against the conduit when said device is in upper and lower positions with respect to said body, but permitting said expander means to expand said slip means when in an intermediate position with respect to said body; and valve means on said body operatively connected to said holding means and shiftable thereby to positions opening said passage when said device is in said upper and lower positions and also shiftable thereby to a position closing said passage when said device is in said intermediate position.

7. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; a packing on said body adapted to seal with the well conduit; said body having a passage through which fluid in the conduit can flow around said packing, said passage'terminating in a side port; normally retracted slip means on said body; expander means on said body relatively movable into engagement with said slip means to expandsaid slip means against the well conduit; a holding device within and movable longitudinally of said body and engageable with one of said means to prevent said expander means from ex panding said slip means against the conduit when said device is in upper and lower: positions within said body, but permitting said expander means to expand said slip means when in an intermediate position within said body; and sleeve valve means on said body operatively connected to said holding device and shiftable thereby to positions opening said port when said device is in said upper and lower positions and to a position across said port to close the same when said device is in said intermediate position;

8. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; upper and lower expander means disposed on and movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slip means normally in retracted position and slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expander means to selectively anchor said body to the conduit against either upward or downward movement; a packing on said body adapted to seal against the Well conduit; said body having a passage through which fluid in the conduit can flow around said packing; a holding device within and movable longitudinally of said body and engageable with said slip means to prevent said upper and lower expander means from expanding said slip means against the conduit when said device is in upper and lower positions within said body, but permitting said upper or lower expander means to expand said slip means when in an intermediate position within said body; and valve means on said body operatively connected to said holding device and shiftable thereby to positions opening said passage when said device is in said upper and lower positions and also shiftable thereby to a position closing said passage when said device is in said intermediate position.

9. In a well too]: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; upper and lower expander means disposed on and movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slip means normally in retracted position and slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expander means to selectively anchor said body to the conduit against either upward or downward movement; a packing on said body adapted to seal against the well conduit; said body having a passage through which fluid in the conduit can flow around said packing; a holding device movable longitudinally of said body and engageable with said slip means to prevent said upper and lower expander means from expanding said slip means against the conduit when said device is in upper and lower positions along said body, but permitting said upper. or lower expander means to expand said slip means when in an intermediate position along said body; and valve means on said body operatively connected to said holding device and shiftable thereby to positions opening said passage when said device is in said upper and lower positions and also shiftable thereby to a position closing said passage when said device is in said intermediate position.

10. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; upper and lower expander means disposed on and movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slip means normally in retracted position and slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expander means to selectively anchor said body to the conduit against either upward or downward movement; a packing on said body adapted to seal against the well conduit; said body having a passage through which fluid in the conduit can flow around said packing, said passage terminating in a side port; a holding device within and movable longitudinally of said body and engageable with said slip means to prevent said upper and lower expander means from expanding said slip means against the conduit when said device is in upper and lower positions within said body, but permitting said upper or lower expander means to expand said slip means when in an intermediate position within said body; and sleeve valve means on said body operatively connected to said holding device and shiftable thereby to positions opening said port when said device is in said upper and lower positions and to a position across said port to close the same when said device is in said intermediate position.

11. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; upper and lower expander means disposed on and movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slip means normally in retracted position and slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expander means to selectively anchor said body to the conduit against either upward or downward movement; a packing on said body adapted to seal against the well conduit; said body having a passage through which fluid in the conduit can flow around said packing, said passage terminating in a side port; a holding device movable longitudinally of said body and engageable with said slip means to prevent said upper and lower expander means from expanding said slip means against the conduit when said device is in upper and lower positions along said body, but permitting said upper or lower expander means to expand said slip means when in an intermediate position along said body; and sleeve valve means on said body operatively connected to said holding device and shiftable thereby to positions opening said port when said device is in said upper and lower positions and to a position across said port to close the same when said device is in said intermediate position.

12. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; upper and lower expander means disposed on and movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slip means normally in retracted position and slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expander means to selectively anchor said body to the conduit against either upward or downward movement; a packing on said body adapted to seal against the well conduit; said body having a passage through which fluid in the conduit can flow around said packing; a holding device within and movable longitudinally of said body and engageable with said slip means to prevent said upper and lower expander means from expanding said slip means against the conduit when said device is in upper and lower positions within said body, but permitting said upper or lower expander means to expand said slip means when in an intermediate position within said body; upper valve means on said 'body for closing said passage above said packing and operatively connected to said holding device to be shifted thereby to passage opening position; and lower valve means on said body operatively connected to said holding device and shiftable thereby to positions opening said passage when said device is in said upper and lower positions and also shiftable thereby to a position closing said passage when said device is in said intermediate position.

13. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; upper and lower expander means disposed on and movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slip means normally in retracted position and slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expander means to selectively anchor said body to the conduit against either upward or downward movement; a packing on said body adapted to seal against the well conduit; said body having a passage through which fluid in the conduit can flow around said packing; a holding device movable longitudinally of said body and engageable with said slip means to prevent said upper and lower expander means from expanding said slip means against the conduit when said device is in upper and lower positions along said body, but permitting said upper or lower expander means to expand said slip means when in an intermediate position along said body; upper valve means on said body for closing said passage above said packing and operatively connected to said holding device to be shifted thereby to passage opening position; and lower valve means on said body operatively connected to said holding device and shiftable thereby to positions opening said passage when said device is in said upper and lower positions and also shiftable thereby to a position closing said passage when said device is in said intermediate position.

14. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; upper and lower expander means disposed on and movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slip means normally in retracted position and slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expander means to selectively anchor said body to the conduit against either upward or downward movement; a packing on said body adapted to seal against the well conduit; said body having a passage through which fluid in the conduit can flow around said packing, said passage terminating in a lower side port; a holding device movable longitudinally of said body and engageable with said slip means to prevent said upper and lower expander means from expanding said slip means against the conduit when said device is in upper and lower positions along said body, but permitting said upper or lower expander means to expand said slip means when in an intermediate position along said body; upper valve means on said body for closing said passage above said packing and operatively connected to said holding device to be shifted thereby to passage opening position; and sleeve valve means on said body operatively connected to said holding device and shiftable thereby to positions opening said port when said device is in said upper and lower positions and to a position across said port to close the same when said device is in said intermediate position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,751,012 6/1956 Baker et al. 166134 2,998,072 8/1961 Crowe 166-434 3,158,202 1l/l964 Lewis et al. 166-134 CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

J. A. LEPPINK, Assistant Examiner, 

1. IN A WELL TOOL: A BODY ADAPTED TO BE MOVED LONGITUDINALLY IN A WELL CONDUIT AND HAVING A PASSAGE FOR FLUID; NORMALLY RETRACTED SLIP MEANS ON SAID BODY; EXPANDER MEANS ON SAID BODY RELATIVELY MOVABLE INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID SLIP MEANS TO EXPAND SAID SLIP MEANS AGAINST THE WELL CONDUIT; A HOLDING DEVICE WITHIN AND MOVABLE LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID BODY AND ENGAGEABLE WITH ONE OF SAID MEANS TO PREVENT SAID EXPANDER MEANS FROM EXPANDING SAID SLIP MEANS AGAINST THE CONDUIT WHEN SAID DEVICE IS IN UPPER AND LOWER POSITIONS WITHIN SAID BODY, BUT 